HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-21-2015 B1 Laguna LakeLomeli, Monique
Subject: FW: Friends of Laguna Lake comments on Strategic Budget RECEIVED
APR 2 0 2015
SLO CITY CLERK
From: Friends of Laguna Lake [mailto:friendsOlagunalake.or
Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2015 9:26 AM
COUNCIL MEETING: DL4
To: E -mail Council Website ITEM NO.:
Cc: Hill, Robert; info(alagunalake.org
Subject: Friends of Laguna Lake comments on Strategic Budget
Dear Madam Mayor and City Councilors,
Friends of Laguna Lake appreciate the time you have taken to meet with us
and the level of support expressed in the Laguna Lake Natural Reserve
Conservation Plan (LLNRC). The proposed budget provides sufficient funds
and staff resources to begin implementing the plan, but does not reflect
the potential to reduce costs if the drought continues or show a strong
commitment to implement the plan. Participation at the public budget
sessions showed that residents citywide want tangible action taken to
restore Laguna Lake soon.
We recommend that Council direct staff to:
1. Fast track the design and permitting for the excavation portion of
the sediment removal to be prepared if the lake remains dry in 2016.
2.Move parts of the project into 2016 that can be reasonably achieved,
such as shoreline stabilization and sediment basins.
3.Recognize that the CSD is important, but not critical to the sediment
control and removal project.
4.Include projected costs and the City's share of funding the plan for
the years beyond 2016.
The proposed budget takes the dredging and sediment control projects to a
"shovel ready„ position by 2017 but does not do any construction until
then. Since the writing of the master plan, the environment has
changed. The drought provides an unanticipated opportunity to accomplish
sediment removal at significantly lower cost.
Friends of Laguna Lake think the design and permitting portions of the
LLNRC plan that address dry lake excavation should be accelerated to take
advantage of the drought. This may not be practical for 2015 but
certainly could be achieved for 2016. We suggest that the excavation
portion of the design and permitting process be fast tracked in case the
drought continues.
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Our reading of the budget document suggests that proceeding with the
sediment control and removal is contingent on a successful vote on the
Community Service District in November 2016. Only funds for design and
permitting are available prior to then. There is $250,000 for
s` construction" but how this could be used in this budget period is unclear
as permitting is not completed until 2017. We would like to see this money
used in 2016 to remove sediment if the drought continues or if the drought
abates, initiate other plan elements such as bank stabilization or
sedimentation removal.
The Community Services District (CSD) is important to the master plan, but
we should not wait for its passage to begin sediment removal and
control. Per Appendix F of the plan, the CSD monies only constitute 25%
of the total Laguna Lake Natural Preserve projected budget.
The original plan in Appendix F of assessing only lake front properties
and associated neighborhoods is unworkable. It does not recognize that
the Lake is more than a neighborhood asset; it is a city resource. We
support developing a CSD that 071 pass. Since this may be the first time
this approach has been used, there may be resistance to establishing
precedence for this type of funding mechanism, If a suitable CSD cannot
be developed then other funding sources may be needed or the project may
need to be adjusted, but it must not be abandoned.
The current budget has no numbers included for the project beyond 2016
(see page B1 -190) further creating the impression of a lack of firm
commitment. Even if future costs are uncertain, the best estimates
should be included. Estimates of the potential expenditures and projected
city contributions can be developed from the task list and the budget in
the approved LLNRC plan.
Friends of Laguna Lake believe that the current Council and Staff are
committed to restoring Laguna Lake as a jewel of the City of San Luis
Obispo. We believe that this budget can go further than it does to
demonstrate the Council and Staff's commitment to the complete plan.
Please consider our recommendations and provide directions to staff to
modify the Strategic Budget Direction.
Thank you again for your time and support for restoring Laguna Lake.
Friends of Laguna Lake
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